Masonry guide



July 14, 1970- J. w. WIGGLESWORTH MASONRY GUIDE Filed Feb. 12, 1969 FIGJ INVENTOR. James JKM'yyZesworf/z United States Patent Oflice 3,520,061 Patented July 14, 1970 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combined masonry course and corner guide device including a first elongated generally upright L-shaped member for positioning the device on a previously laid outside corner of a structure being built, a second elongated generally upright L-shaped member spaced from and generally parallel to the first member and having anchor means for connecting upper and lower guidelines to the device for securing the device to the corner of the structure. The device further includes a third elongated generally upright L-shaped member spacedly positioned between the first and second members and parallel thereto. The two side portions of the third member are disposed at right angles to each other and each includes a horizontal slot positioned adjacent its upper edge portion to receive and engage respective segments of the upper guideline to properly align same with the outer edges of previously laid courses of block forming the corner of the structure with the intersection of the upper guideline segments in vertical alignment above the outer corner formed by previously laid block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to an improved tool for use in masonry construction, such as the laying of masonry wall units, for example, brick, concrete block and the like. More particularly the invention pertains to an improved tool which may be called a combined masonry corner guide, line support and course gauge which is useful in erecting corners and courses in the construction of brick or concrete block buildings without the use of a level after the brick or concrete block work has risen to a small height above the footing of the building.

It has long been recognized in the building trade that the labor costs incident to masonry construction have greatly impeded the use thereof. The art of laying bricks and blocks requires a high degree of skill acquired only after extensive periods of apprenticeship for those having a natural aptitude and the capabilities of putting great attention to detail.

The conventional method of building or erecting a wall or casing a structure with masonry is to first build the corner, stretch a line between the built-up corners and then finally lay the courses of 'brick or block to the stretched line. Consequently various corner guide devices, often called speed leads, dead men or corner posts in the brick-laying trade, have from time to time been used. These corner guides normally involve the use of standards set up at the corners of the building and having course markings on them or attached thereto. The standards used in the corner guide must be kept in plumb and often require the use of braces or guidelines which are susceptible to being dislodged by workmen or mobile equipment on the job. Often times the corner guides that are in general use do not insure that the guidelines will be extended from the built-up corner with complete accuracy, and in some instances these guidelines may deviate from the proper path along which they are to extend in either an inward direction or outward direction.

Description of the prior art Combined masonry corner guide and course guage devices have been previously devised, such prior art apparatuses and devices being generally disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 2,832,143, 2,833,043, 2,949,673, 3,091,865, 3,096,- 588 and 3,130,500. Applicants invention of an improved course and corner masonry guide, disclosed herein, is an improvement over such prior devices, as shown for example in above mentioned patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved masonry course and corner guide device which will permit the erection of brick or concete block buildings substantially without the use of a level.

Another general object of the invention is to provide an improved brick and block laying guide of the L-shaped type for facilitating the laying of corner bricks or blocks and side or course bricks or blocks which will permit the corners to be laid at the same time that the side walls are constructed.

A further general object of the subject invention is to provide an improved masonry guide which is adjustable and may be moved upward along the wall and corner as the walls and corners of the structure are being built.

Still another general object of the instant invention is to provide an improved combined masonry corner guide and course gauge device which is significantly different from prior art structures, of relatively simple construction, low in cost, strong, readily usable and not subject to many of the limitations, shortcomings and problems of prior art masonry guides.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved masonry guide which is designed so as to facilitate the gauging of the thickness of the mortar joint which is to be provided between each pair of superimposed courses of brick or block.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved masonry course and corner guide device which is not so close to the work as to prevent the ready completion of the corners without interference from the device.

In general these objects are attained by providing a combined masonry course and corner guide device including means for positioning and attaching the device to a previously laid outside corner of a structure being built and including anchor means for connecting a guideline to the device. The device further includes alignment means which are structurally independent of the anchor means for aligning segments of the guideline with the outer edges of previously laid courses of block forming the corner of the structure with the guideline segments intersecting in vertical alignments above the outer corner formed by previously laid block.

In using the masonry guide of this invention, a sufficient number thereof should be used when casing a structure with block or the like so that one of these masonry guides is provided at each corner whereby the guidelines may extend entirely around the structure and thereby permit the work to proceed at all sides at once. Thus the need of constant leveling and plumbing of the courses at and between the corners is alleviated, the workmen having only to lay their brick along the guidelines strung about the structure and precisely and accurately positioned for each course by the masonry guides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the use of improved masonry corner guide of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the improved masonry corner guide of this invention is seen to be usable with the laying or setting up of concrete blocks 11, but guide 10 is equally usable when laying or setting up standard size brick. As depicted in FIG. 1 the improved guide of this invention is usually used in cooperation with three similar guides when constructing a rectangular building or structure 13 with one guide placed at each of the corners 15 thereof. The device, if desired, could be used with only one other similar device to form a pair, whereby the pair could be used in the construction or laying up of a single brick or concrete block wall.

As seen in FIG. 2 the improved masonry corner guide 10 of this invention includes a first or outer generally upright member 12 which in cross-section is L-shaped and includes a pair of sides or legs 14 and 16 which are of equal width and are positioned and afiixed at right angles to each other, see FIG. 3. Guide 10 further includes a second or middle generally upright member 18 of the same length as member 12 and spaced from and parallel to member 12. Member 18, similar to member 12, includes a pair of sides or legs 20 and 22 (see FIG. 3 which are of equal width and are positioned and affixed at right angles to each other. Sides 20 and 22 of member 18 are of a width somewhat less than sides 14 and 16 of member 12 such that the outer edges of members 16, 22 and 14, 20 are in alignment as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Masonry guide 10 additionally includes a third or inner generally upright member 24 which is attached to upright members 12 and 18, but spaced therefrom and generally parallel thereto. Member 24 is substantially shorter than either member 12 or 18 and includes a pair of sides or legs 26 and 28 (see in particular FIG. 4) which are of equal width and are positioned and affixed at right angles to each other. The sides 26, 28 of members 24 and sides 14, 16 of member 12 are of substantially the same width.

Members 18 and 24 are maintained in a spaced and parallel relationship by means of spacing means at 30 adjacent the upper edge 31 of member 24 and similar spacing means of like dimension at 32 adjacent the lower end of member 28. Member 12 is maintained in a spaced and parallel relationship to member 18 by spacing means at 34 and by similar spacing means of like dimension at 36 adjacent the lower ends of members 12 and 18. Members 12, 18 and 24 are maintained and affixed together by means of welds 38 and 40 extending across members 12, 18 and 24 and the spacing means at 30, 32, 34 and 36 therebetween.

Outer generally upright member 12 is provided with an upper pair of anchoring posts 42 and 44 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to which the upper guideline or leadline 46 is attached or secured to masonry guide 10 at each corner as depicted in FIG. 1. Anchor post 42- includes a round head bolt 48 which is positioned through an opening within side 14 adjacent the upper edge thereof and a nut 50 tightened on the threaded portion thereof to tightly secure bolt 48 within the opening of side 14. In similar fashion anchor post 44 includes a round head bolt 52 positioned through an opening within side 16 adjacent its upper edge and a nut 54 positioned on the bolt 52 within the opening of side 16. In addition, outer generally upright member 12 includes a lower pair of anchoring posts 56 and 58, see FIGS. 2 and 4, to which may be attached and secured the end portions of a lower guideline or leadline 60 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4. Anchor post 56 includes a rounded head bolt 62 positioned through an opening within side 14 adjacent its lower edge and a nut 64 secured on the threaded portion of bolt 62 to attach and secure bolt 62 Within the opening of side 14. In like manner anchor post 58 includes a round head bolt 66 positioned through an opening within side 16 adjacent the lower edge thereof and secured and aifixed therein by means of a nut 68 positioned on the threaded portion of bolt 66.

In using the masonry guide 10, lower guideline or leadline 60 is used to secure and maintain a number of guides 10 to the corners of the structure 13 being built, while upper leadline or guideline 46 is used to additionally attach and affix guides 10 tocorners 15 of the building, but additionally and more importantly to act and be used as a guideline in laying the corners and courses of the concrete blocks or bricks being used in the construction of the building.

Inner short generally upright member 24 is provided with a pair of openings 70 and 72 positioned within respective sides 26 and '28 and adjacent the lower edge thereof, see in particular FIG. 4. The sides 26 and 28 of upright member 24 are raised or domed in the general area of these openings 70- and 72, as at 74 and 76 respectively (see FIG. 2), to permit lower guideline or leadline 60 to pass between the brick or block work of the building and these respective sides 26 and 28 of member 24. In this manner leadline 60 is permitted to pass through openings 70 and 72 from the inner or block work side member 24 without interfering with the positioning of guide 10, as depicted in FIG. 4.

When using a number of the guides 10, the lower guideline or leadline 60 may pass through and secure the guides to the corners of the building by being positioned through openings 70 and 72 and around only the inner upright 24, as depicted in solid line configuration FIG. 4; except for the one guide which is used adjacent the end portions of leadline 60. In this instance, the guide 10 being positioned adjacent the end portions of lower leadline 60, one end portion of leadline 60 will be positioned through opening 70 and then passed about side 14 member 12 and then wrapped or secured about anchor post 56, and the other or opposite end portion of leadline 60 will be passed through opening 72 and about side 16 of member 12 to be wrapped or secured about anchor post 58, all as depicted in dashed line configuration in FIG. 4.

Generally upright outer member 12 is provided with a pair of notches 78 and 80 positioned within respective sides 14 and 16 and extending inward from the edges thereof, being positioned closely adjacent the upper edge of member 12 and adjacent anchoring posts 42 and 44 thereof, see FIGS. 2 and 3. Additionally, middle or cen-. trally upright member 18 is provided with a pair of notches 82 and 84 positioned within respective sides 20 and 22 of member 18 and extending inward from the diiter edges thereof. Notches 82 and 84 are positioned closely adjacent the upper edge of member 18 and are generally in alignment with notches 78 and 80 respectively, see FIGS. 2 and 3. The depth of notches 78 and 80, and in particular notches 82 and 84, is such that when the upper guideline 46 passes therethrough as depicted in FIG. 3, the intersection 86 of the two line segments of guideline 46 will meet or intersect in vertical alignment or plumb with the corner edge of the previous brick or block as depicted in FIG. 3; or, in other words, intersection 86 of the two line segment of guideline 46 is in direct vertical alignment or plumb with the inner edge or apex formed by the intersection of sides 26 and 28 of inner generally upright member 24. The line segments forming intersection 86 of guideline 46 are in direct vertical alignment or plumb with the inner faces of sides 26, 28 of member 24.

When using guides at the corners of a building, upper leadline or guideline 46 is passed through notches 82 and 78, about anchor post 42, then about anchor post 44 and through notches 80 and 84 at all corners of the building except the guide adjacent the end portions of guideline 46, at which point the configuration depicted in FIG. 3 is followed. At this guide, one end portion of guideline 46 is wrapped about and secured to anchor post 42 and the other end portion thereof being wrapped about and secured to anchor post 44.

The distance or vertical dimension between the upper edge 31 of generally upright inner member 24 to slots 82 and 84 and therefore to upper guideline 46 is equivalent to the heighth of the standard concrete building block plus the correct or appropriate amount of mortar 88 to be used between courses of the block in erecting the building. Therefore, when using masonry guide 10 of the invention the upper edge 31 of member 24 is positioned at the same level as the upper edge of the previously set or laid blocks to give the appropriate positioning by means of guideline 46 to the next course of blocks to be laid, see FIGS. 1 and 2. When using brick instead of block, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper edge 31 of upright member 24 is positioned at the same elevation as the upper edge of the third brick down from the top of the structure to give the appropriate positioning by means of guideline 46 to the next layer or course of bricks and the mortar to be used therewith in the construction of the building. The horizontal spacing between members 24 and 18 is provided to give the desired clearance and working area at the corner for properly laying the corner block, mortar and the workmans trowel. The horizontal spacing between upright members 1.8 and 12 is provided to insure the proper positioning of guideline 46 through slots 82 and 84 no matter how tight guideline 46 is strung or pulled between adjacent guides 10 or how much tension or pressure is put on the guideline 46. This horizontal spacing between members 18 and 12 is necessary because as pressure is exerted on guideline 46 and the same is tightened around member 12 and to anchor posts 42 and 44, slots 78 and 80 will tend to move inward and downward thus changing the dimension between the upper edge 31 of member 24 and guideline 46, and the vertical alignment or plumb between intersection 86 of guideline 46 and the corner of the previously set block if it were not for intermediate or middle member 18 and respective slots 82 and 84 therein. In other words, outer member 16 will give under the pull of guideline 46, but middle member 18 which has no pull on it will keep and maintain guideline 46 true and plumb for laying the block or brick.

In using the improved masonry guide 10 of this invention, the same along with other similar guides is positioned at the corners of the building or structure 13 being built, as depicted in FIG. 1, after the same has risen to a slight distance above the footing. Guides 10 are positioned on, attached and secured to the corners of the building by means of the lower guideline or leadline 60 as depicted in FIG. 4 and by means of the upper leadline or guideline 46 as depicted in FIG. 3, and positioned thereon with the upper edge 31 of inner member 24 in horizontal alignment with the upper or top edge of the last or previous laid course of blocks as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Now the next course of block, including the corners, and the appropriate amount of mortar that goes therewith are laid completely around the building or structure using guideline 46 to both position, plumb and gauge the correct amount of mortar at both the corners and along the sides of the structure. Then after completing this course of block, the guides 10 are moved upward and realigned with the top of the just laid course of block such that the next row or course can be laid up, and so on to the top of the structure or building until the same is completed.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications within the true spirit and scope of this invention and within the following claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A combined masonry course and corner guide device including means for positioning and attaching said device to a previously laid outside corner of a structure being built and anchor means for connecting a guideline to said device, the improvement comprising alignment means structurally independent of said anchor means and unaffected by forces on the anchor means resulting from tensioning of the guideline for aligning segments of the guideline with the outer edges of previously laid courses of block forming the corner of the structure with the guideline segments intersecting in vertical alignment above the outer corner formed by previously laid blocks, said alignment means being spaced from said anchor means adjacent to the guideline path, and means for attaching said alignment means to said anchor means at a location spaced remotely downwardly from the guideline path.

2. The masonry device as defined in claim 1 wherein said alignment means includes an elongated generally upright member spaced from said anchor means, said member being generally L-shaped and having each of its two side portions disposed at right angles to each other, each of said side portions of said member engaging the segments of the guideline to properly align same with the intersect of the guideline segments in vertical alignment with the outer corner formed by previously laid block.

3. The masonry device as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said side portions includes an upper end portion having an elongated generally horizontal slot positioned therein and extending inward of the outer edge of each said side portion, each said slot receiving respective segments of the guideline with the upright walls of said slots engaging respective guideline segments to properly position same.

4. A combined masonry course and corner guide device comprising a first elongated generally upright member for positioning said device on a previously laid outside corner of a structure being built, a second elongated generally upright member spaced from and generally parallel to said first member, said second member including anchor means for connecting upper and lower guidelines to said device for securing said device to the corner of the structure, and alignment means structurally independent of said second member and unaffected by forces on the anchor means resulting from tensioning of the guidelines for aligning segments of the upper guideline with the outer edges of the previously laid courses of block forming the corner of the structure with the upper guideline segments intersecting in vertical alignment above the outer corner formed by previously laid block.

5. The masonry device as defined in claim 4 wherein said second elongated upright member includes upper and lower end portions, said anchor means includes a first pair of anchor posts attached to said upper end portion of said second upright member for connecting the upper guideline to said device and a second pair of anchor posts attached to said lower end portion of said second upright member for connecting the lower guideline to said device.

6. The masonry device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first upright member is generally L-shaped and having each of its two side portions disposed at right angles to each other, said second upright member being generally L-shaped and having each of its two side portions disposed at right angles to each other, said alignment means including a third elongated generally upright member spaced from and generally parallel to said first and second members, said third member being generally L-shaped and having each of its two side portions disposed at right angles to each other, each of said side portions of said third member engaging the segments of the upper guideline to properly align same with the intersection of the upper guideline segments being in vertical alignment with the outer corner formed by previously laid block.

7. The masonry device as defined in claim 6 wherein said third upright member is positioned between said first and second members, the respective side portions of each said member being respectively parallel to the respective side portions of each of said other members.

8. The masonry device as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said side portions of said third upright member includes an upper end portion having an elongated generally horizontal slot positioned therein and extending inward of the outer edge of each said side portion, each said slot receiving respective segments of the upper guideline with the upright walls of said slots engaging respective upper guideline segments to properly position same.

9. The masonry device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first upright member terminates in an upper edge adjacent the upper edge of the previously laid block forming the corner, said alignment means being spacedly positioned outwardly of said first upright member to provide Working room and clearance for placing mortar on the previously laid block forming the corner.

10. The masonry device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first upright member includes an upper edge, the vertical height from said upper edge of said first member to the upper guideline being equal to the dimensional height of a block and a layer of mortar to be laid on the previously laid block, said first member being positionable against the previously laid corner block of the structure with said upper edge thereof at the same height as the upper edge of the previously laid block forming the corner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS HARRY N. HAROIAN, Primary Examiner 

